Blatter remains defiant

Sepp Blatter was in defiant mood today even though he faces allegations of financial mismanagement just days before he stands for re-election as FIFA President.

Blatter told a Seoul press conference that he had done nothing illegal in his long career with soccer’s world governing body.

‘‘I am confident that in the 27 years I have been in FIFA, I have not committed anything which shall go to court,’’ he insisted.

Blatter was sitting alongside FIFA general secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen whose report earlier this month alleged that Blatter was guilty of corruption.

The report prompted 11 FIFA executive committee members to launch legal action against Blatter by filing papers with a Swiss prosecutor.

But the president and his general secretary showed no signs of any feud, smiling for photographers and occasionally leaning over to consult each another.

‘‘Let us play football now, and then let’s see what will happen with the case which has been brought to a court in Zurich,’’ Blatter said.

Zen-Ruffinen, who is almost certain to lose his job if Blatter, as expected, wins Wednesday’s vote for the FIFA presidency, said he had nothing further to say about the allegations.

However, he revealed that FIFA will build a hall of fame in Valencia by 2004 featuring a FIFA museum, interactive games and a gallery of great players.